Abraham Lincoln's Desire To Abolish Slavery

During the time of Reconstruction, which was from 1865-1877, president Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass had many goals that they wanted to achieve during the Reconstruction period. They shared a common goal of trying to abolish slavery, however, Douglass and Lincoln did have different goals as well that they believed were priorities. Douglass’s goal was to have equality and equal rights among the races and Lincoln’s main goal was to unify the Union after the destruction caused by the Civil War. The nation did achieve Douglass and Lincoln’s shared goal of abolishing slavery and Lincoln did manage to unify the Union after a lot of hard work but did not achieve Douglass’s dream for

Slavery in the early United States was widespread and a cheap means of labor for the owners of plantations and it was also a major influence in the shaping of the United States. The United States in the three decades before the Civil War was flooded with various reform movements. Inspired by the religious revivals of the Second Great Awakening, these reform movements sought to improve or perfect human society by eliminating any evil the reformers believed was an affront to the moral and spiritual health of the nation. One of the key issues reformers attacked was the abolition of slavery. As late as the mid-1700s, most organized Western religions or denominations had failed to discourage their congregations from practicing slavery. Slaves

An example of a presidential executive order which congress did not authorise would be Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

In school we are taught that Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves. This statement is reinforced continuously throughout our education, beginning from the time we are in elementary school to when we are in high school. However, it’s never really expounded upon when taught. The discussion never goes further than ‘Abraham Lincoln enacted the Emancipation Proclamation and thus freed the slaves’, but is still able to instill the implication that he did so out of his own moral values and that life for ex-slaves was better for it. The truth of the matter is actually the complete opposite. The emancipation proclamation was a purely political decision that instead of truly freeing the slaves, only served to keep them bound.

Some have said that Abraham Lincoln's beliefs are a mystery. He himself has never proclaimed his beliefs but a lot can be determined by his actions and words. Through observation, there have been quite a lot of conclusions to his faith. Some conclusions are: skepticism, deism, Christianity, theism, fatalism, and even atheism. It's an on-going debate for the conclusion to his faith although we won't be able to ever prove exactly what his beliefs were since he never made a profession, there are many facts leading to his belief in a personal savior.

Abraham Lincoln, for starters, was more concerned about preserving the union then freeing slaves. “If I could save the Union [the United States] without freeing any slave I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would do that also.” (Document C) Lincoln never actually wanted to save slaves, he was always concerned with preserving the Union. He knew that slavery was not as important and making sure the country made it out of war mostly unharmed. As president, Lincoln had an obligation to protect the US and it’s constitution, therefore his plans for

Based on the supplementary readings, I believe that the Civil War and Reconstruction failed to produce equality and freedom to the former slaves in America. Although these events are a major development in the process of liberating African Americans from slavery and dehumanization, many obstacles still exist in which the black community suffered from discrimination and lack of basic rights as a black man in the late 1800s. For example, black soldiers were recruited into the Civil War due to shortage of manpower and “receive the sum of ten dollars per month…[while]..the regiment would...be allowed the three”(Gooding, "We Feel as Though Our Country Spurned Us"). This shows prejudice to the African Americans despite their efforts. Even though

So, who freed the slaves? Lincoln said, “my paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and it is not either to save or destroy slavery, If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that.” (Lincoln, letter to Horace Greeley). Lincoln didn’t have the commitment to end slavery. He didn’t even saw African American as socially or politically equal to white people, since he lived in a racist society. In one of his debates with Steven Douglas, Lincoln said “And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race”.

The age old question troubling America was thriving. Should a state be free or be allowed to own slaves? This question when boiled down to its most broad state asks primarily if America should abolish slavery or not. The tension that came along with this question in America was soon glazed over by the Compromise of 1850. The issues between the North and South had seemed to have disappeared because of this compromise, but in reality the problems and questions were growing in secret making the people of this time bitter and ready to take action. When the Fugitive Slave Law was passed, many abolitionists and northerners were “deeply offended”. They did not want to catch former slaves. They felt as if this law went against everything they believed in. It was then that the “literary inspiration” ,created by many who knew that slavery could not just work itself out, flourished. Few people believed that in the 1850’s a fictional book about slavery could actually become popular, but in 1851 a drawing of the “death of a slave named Uncle Tom

Lincoln states "If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that." Lincoln was strictly for the Union and if he could save the Union and end slavery he would, but his first thoughts were for the Union, and only the Union. He deals with slavery in this manner because he does not want to upset or cause turmoil in the South. Even though the Civil War was going on, he wants it to end and the Union to be whole.

When Abraham Lincoln was elected, seven states starting with South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas seceded from the Union and formed Confederate States of America (P.397), and soon after, four more states including: Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee joined them (P.400). The Confederate States were mainly slave states that perceived Lincoln as a threat to the southern institution and its foundation; slavery. Although Lincoln had an anti-slavery position, which means that he was opposed the idea that slavery spreads into new territories, not an abolitionist, the Confederate States dreaded that they might lose their power in their territories (P.397). President Lincoln rejected the right of

During the Abraham Lincoln’s short time as president, he managed not only to save a nation deeply divided and at war with itself, but to solidify the United States of America as a nation dedicated to the progress of civil rights. Years after his death, he was awarded the title of ‘The Great Emancipator.’ In this paper, I will examine many different aspects of Lincoln’s presidency in order to come to a conclusion: whether this title bestowed unto Lincoln was deserved, or not. In order to fully understand Lincoln, it is necessary to understand the motives that drove this man to action. While some of his intentions may not have been for the welfare of slaves, but for the preservation of the Union,

“It’s time to end this slavery” said Abraham Lincoln at his last speech before he was assassinated and killed after his speech to end slavery. But as a young kid he was born in a log cabin he would always work on a farm and would always have a book next to him. As he got older he became one of the best presidents to be alive. For ending slavery so everyone can be treated fairly in life. As a man he left many things for us to remember him by as a nice man who did things for our country. Could you have done what he did. Like end something so big that we never have it again or have a hard life and become someone great? Could you do this? I would never be able to do the things that this man has done for people to remember me for things. What are you going to be remembered for changing the world.

Abraham Lincoln and Slavery Many Americans believe that Abraham Lincoln was the “Great Emancipator,” the sole individual who ended slavery, and the man who epitomizes freedom. In his brief presidential term, Lincoln dealt with an unstable nation, with the South seceding from the country and in brink of leaving permanently. The differing ideologies between the North and South about the economy and slavery quickly lead to civil war.

“I have never had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence.” Abraham Lincoln admired the declaration of independence and its founders. The Declaration of Independence was formed by the thirteen States of the confederacy. Represented by American liberty from each state. Twelve of these states where holders of slave. Abraham Lincoln legacy was for all men and women to be created equally. No matter what color or race you are, you have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It also states America’s freedom from Great Britain. What most people get wrong is that The Declaration of Independence wasn't signed on July 4, 1776. This was the date that congress Adopted